10 First-Year Games for You and Baby

Playtime with your baby is more than fun and games -- it also teaches your infant valuable life lessons. Use these baby games for girls and boys to educate and entertain your little one.

Where Did It Go?

Take a koosh ball or other soft ball and squish it into a small container with a lid. Close the lid. Ask your baby, "Where did the ball go?" Encourage him to open the container and watch the ball spring out, jack-in-the-box style. The popping ball is sure to get his attention, and the game is an exciting way to learn about object permanence -- the fact that an object still exists even if you can't see it -- explains Susan P. Epstein, a parenting coach in New London, Connecticut.